"Face Enjoying Torture" Extreme Choice by Security Guard in Gangbuk-gu, Leaving a Voice Will

Skipping Meals and Relying on Medication Due to Stress and Fear
Strong Appeal for Severe Punishment of Abusive Residents Who Use Verbal and Physical Violence

On the morning of the 14th, the bereaved family of Choi Hee-seok, a security guard who recently took an extreme step after being harassed by residents while working as an apartment security guard in front of the security office of an apartment in Ui-dong, Gangbuk-gu, Seoul, is holding a traditional Korean funeral rite called Noje. / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Seunggon Han, Intern Reporter Juhyung Lim] It has been confirmed that Choi Heeseok (59), a security guard at an apartment in Ui-dong, Gangbuk-gu, Seoul, who tragically took his own life after suffering verbal abuse and physical assault from residents, left a voice recording as a suicide note.

On the 18th, 'YTN' released the voice suicide note left by Choi before his tragic decision. The note describes the circumstances when Choi was verbally and physically abused by a resident.

In the note, Choi, with a sobbing voice, says, "I really endured by taking medicine while being hit by that person, Resident A," and expresses his feelings, "I skipped meals and endured mental stress. Do you know how anxious I was?"

He continues, "(Resident A) said, 'You must be rich to sue me,' 'Let's take this to the end,' 'Since you didn’t submit your resignation, I dragged you to the mountain and gave you 100 lashes,'" and adds, "He had a face that enjoyed torture. How terrified must a kind-hearted person like me have been?"

He then pleads, "Please help so that I won’t be abused by that person, Resident A, again, and so that security guards don’t suffer unfair treatment," and "Please punish (Resident A) severely."

Meanwhile, Choi also expressed gratitude to the neighbors who helped him. He said, "Thank you, Mom B, for helping me. I will surely repay your kindness even in the afterlife," and "Mom and Dad C, Sister D from the supermarket, and Madam E from apartment _E_ ? I will definitely repay your kindness."

On the morning of the 12th, in front of an apartment in Ui-dong, Gangbuk-gu, Seoul, activists from civic groups held an urgent press conference to commemorate the late security worker Choi Hee-seok, urging strict punishment for the perpetrator and the establishment of measures to prevent recurrence. / Photo by Yonhap News

Earlier, Choi was found dead around 2 a.m. on the 10th near his home.

According to apartment residents, Choi had an argument with Resident A around 11 a.m. on the 21st of last month over parking issues within the apartment complex. Afterwards, Resident A assaulted Choi and dragged him to the management office, demanding that he quit his security job.

Choi filed a police complaint against Resident A on the 22nd, the day after the assault, on charges including bodily injury. Some residents held an emergency meeting on the 5th to discuss related measures.

However, Choi was found dead from suicide before the complainant’s investigation.

The Gangbuk Police Station in Seoul imposed a travel ban on Resident A, who was identified as the assault suspect. Resident A reportedly denies the claim, stating that "it is not true that (Choi’s) nasal bone was broken due to the assault."

On the 17th, the police summoned Resident A, who was booked on charges including assault and bodily injury, for questioning. The police plan to investigate the allegations of injury to Choi’s nasal bone and are also considering applying for an arrest warrant depending on the investigation results.

※ If you or someone around you is struggling with difficult issues such as depression, you can receive 24-hour professional counseling at suicide prevention hotline ☎1393, mental health counseling ☎1577-0199, Hope Call ☎129, Lifeline ☎1588-9191, and Youth Hotline ☎1388.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.